Mateo Sanchez
Every morning, the effects of our water crisis are visible from my apartment window. The park across the street, once green and lively, is now a dusty, brown expanse. As a 34-year-old geologist, I never imagined witnessing such a dramatic shift in Barcelona. The drought, caused by the lack of rainfall and negligible snowmelt, has brought us to the brink.
Water pressure in our pipes has been reduced yet again, a minor inconvenience compared to the bigger picture. My work now involves more than just studying the earth’s layers; I’m part of a team consulting on emergency water management strategies. It’s surreal—my scientific expertise now feels like a daily battle for survival. Walking to the metro, I pass dry fountains and empty pools. Posters scream the urgency: "Emergency. The water doesn't fall from the sky."
Tourists still flock here, using water with a nonchalance that locals can no longer afford. The disparity is glaring; while we limit ourselves to about 103 liters per day, tourists consume up to 500 liters, much of it in hotels with filled pools and lush gardens. It’s infuriating, yet we need them, as tourism is a lifeline for our economy. The tension between preserving our resources and supporting the economy grows each day. In meetings, we discuss the future, the desalination plants running at full capacity, and plans for new ones that won’t be ready until 2027 or 2028.
Tankers bringing water from places like Palma de Mallorca or Marseille are temporary fixes, expensive and insufficient. The real solution lies in a fundamental shift in how we value and use water. On my way home, I see tankers delivering drinking water, a sight that has become all too common. It’s unsettling to think this is the new normal.
Each night, I lie awake, wondering how much worse it will get when summer fully arrives. I hope the world takes notice, and tourists understand the gravity of our situation and adjust their habits. Every drop saved counts. We’re doing our best to adapt, but we need all the help we can get.